Residents in the City of Greater Sudbury can access Alzheimer care services and resources in French more conveniently, thanks to the Société Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin, its board of directors and its French Language Services Committee, which has earned the society official designation as a bilingual health care service provider.
Eliminating language barriers will improve the healthcare experience of francophone families faced with Alzheimer's, as well as empower them with improved understanding and knowledge of the disease, stated a news release. Francophones make up about 30 per cent of the region's overall population and represent one of the largest French-speaking communities in Ontario.
"We're thrilled to be able to offer our services and resources in both official languages," said Patricia Montpetit, executive director of the organization in the release. "This service will reduce the feeling of alienation and powerlessness that is sometimes common to people dealing with dementia care issues in a language unfamiliar to them. It also allows us to step-up our efforts in meeting the needs of the region's linguistically-diverse communities." 
Established in 1985, the Société Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin provides essential services and support programs and educational resources for people directly affected by the disease, their families and caregivers, while promoting awareness and research. Today, there are 2,532 residents living with Alzheimer's in the Sudbury area, with an expected doubling of this figure by 2028. In Ontario, the number of people with the disease is 170,000. This number is also projected to double in the next 25 years.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder that destroys brain cells and is ultimately fatal. While advances have been made in research, there is still no cure.
For more inforamtion about the society or Alzheimer's, visit www.alzheimersudbury.ca .
